04 February 2005	Friday	24 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro has said that Pakistan is a business-friendly country and offers tremendous opportunities to foreign investors.

He was talking to director operations, IBM Central Europe Middle East and Africa, Carlos da Silva, who called on him here on Thursday.

Mr Soomro said that Pakistan was taking numerous measures with a view to creating a sense of greater confidence in the foreign investors. The Senate chairman enumerated a number of indicators which reflect the growth of Pakistan's economy and ensuring high return to the investors. He thanked the IBM for investing in Pakistan.

The director reiterated IBM's commitment to Pakistan. He said that appropriate environment and better infrastructure facilities were available in Pakistan to invest in the IT sector.

Mr Silva said that Pakistan was part of the CEMA region which was the fastest growing region in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and added that the IBM had invested over $5 million in business continuity and recovery services centre and printing out tasking in Pakistan.

He further stated that the IBM was focusing its attention to increase business activities in Pakistan and had set up a resource centre in the country. The country general manager, IBM Pakistan, Humayun Bashir, highlighted IBM Pakistan's achievements, particularly in banking, e-government, business recovery services, printing out sourcing and other services. -APP